MIAMI — Christian Pulsiic scored twice and Auston Trusty, Julian Hall, Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun all had one each as the United States dominated Haiti 6-0 in the first leg of a Concacaf Nations
League quarterfinal.
The teams will meet again Tuesday, Nov. 17 in Cincinnati, but the series looks decided.
The U.S. was the much stronger team in the first half, but went into the locker room up just one goal. In the 10th minute, Sebastian Berhalter’s free kick went toward Trusty in the box, and the center back stuck his foot out to redirect it into the goal with his first touch.
Haiti came into the match missing three of its top center backs to injury and a midfielder, Carl Fred Sainte, who has deputized as a center back. The floodgates broke in the second half, with Julian Hall finishing off a team move that saw six U.S. players involved in a counter-attack to double the advantage.
Pulisic won and took a penalty 10 minutes later, getting taken down by out-of-position defender Carlens Arcus and sending a strong kick from the spot down the middle. He tried his luck just a minute later with a low shot from outside the box that also found the back of the net.
McKennie added his goal from another set piece, nodding in a corner kick, and Balogun - after seeing a VAR check rule out the first goal he thought he had scored - put the cherry on top with a right-footed shot through the goalkeeper’s legs.
Haiti thought it had scored through Lenny Joseph, with the sold-out crowd largely dressed in Haiti jerseys celebrating festively despite the scoreline. The celebrations were interrupted, though by a review showing the goal was offside.
Haiti’s task may be difficult enough next week, but away goals are the first tiebreaker - meaning Haiti would need to put an American football score on the U.S. and win 7-0 to advance to March’s Nations League Final Four and secure a place in the 2027 Gold Cup.
That match will be the final game of Mauricio Pochettino's tenure as U.S. manager, with the Argentine coach heading to take over Manchester United after this quarterfinal series.
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USMNT vs Haiti highlights
07:00 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jesse YomtovFT: USA 6-0 Haiti
06:29 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldLes Grenadiers would need a 7-0 or similar win to turn things around in the second leg. The U.S. should feel good about making the Gold Cup and March's nations League Final Four.
It's a good, convincing win for the U.S., with contributions from players young (Hall) and veteran (Pulisic).
83' NOW it's 6-0 USA
06:18 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldBalogun gets a goal that will stand with Tillman playing a through ball into his path. His shot goes in between the goalkeeper's legs and he taps his watch for the second time tonight - this time it's for a goal that counts.
81' Albert, Mehmeti come in for Pulisic, McKennie
06:17 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldSome of the youth movement the U.S. is hoping to continue fostering checks into the game. It's two youngsters entering for the old guard.
78' No goal! The U.S. leads 5-0
06:15 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldThe VAR review shows an infraction, and it stays 5-0.
Bth managers are preparing additional changes for the final stretch - a goal or two could really help Haiti stay even remotely competitive in this series.
75' Balogun does his thing, and it is 6-0 USMNT - or is it?
06:11 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldA bit of disorder in front of goal and Balogun sticks with the play, putting his shot in the back of the net and making it 6-0 in favor of the U.S.
Now, the Haiti fans are starting to head to the exits with the United States' place in the Gold Cup next summer looking plenty secure. But, wait! A video review may keep it 5-0. Lopez is looking at a potential handball in the build-up.
72' Noooo it's offside for Haiti, the U.S. stays ahead 5-0
06:07 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon Arnold⚠️🇭🇹 ¡Y NO HAY GOL DE HAITI!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 14, 2026
Ya se festejaba el descuento de los locales, pero se marca una posición adelantada ‼️
📺📱 EN VIVO por @Telemundo, Peacock y Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/2oDZRSB0Yq#USMNTenTelemundo #USMNT #HAIvsUSA #Haití #EstadosUnidos pic.twitter.com/h9xbSh82nn
Offside is the call during the check. That's a tough one for the fans, who boo the decision, but a video freeze shows the folks with the technology got the call right.
68' GOAL! One for the Haiti fans to celebrate
06:05 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldIt might not make much of a difference in the series, but Lenny Jospeh finishes off a pass and it's a goal for Haiti. The fans at Nu Stadium, fresh off the dejection of the fifth U.S. goal, go wild.
68' GOAL! McKennie scores off the corner kick
06:04 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldIt is 5-0 United States, and the fans are starting to get frustrated.
This one is a corner kick that McKennie is able to put his head on it and knock it home. SImply no answer for the Americans' vertical play advantage right now for Haiti.
66' USMNT makes changes as well
06:01 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldBryan Reynolds and Folarin Balogun are into the match, replacing Seb Berhalter and Julian Hall. Likely a somewhat planned change, but Haiti's makeshift center backs can't be happy to see the Americans' top scorer at the World Cup after already conceding four in the first hour and change of play.
63' GOAL! It's a fourth for the U.S.!
05:59 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldBarely 100 seconds later, Pulisic gets a second ⚡ pic.twitter.com/UjhMvhajiE
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 14, 2026
Haiti's substitutes have barely come off the field, and already Pulisic has added a second goal. He has a clera look at the corner and fires away at first chance.
62' GOAL Pulisic converts from the penalty spot
05:56 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldChristian Pulisic from the spot 🎯 pic.twitter.com/or1x8EsmpS
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 14, 2026
Pulisic steps up, takes the shot nearly right down the middle and Pierre dives, only watching as the shot goes in.
The United States leads Haiti 3-0, and Les Grenadiers ned to hope their modifications can keep things from getting out of hand.
59' Penalty! The U.S. is going to the spot
05:54 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldHall is once again on the ball in the box and looking to set up Pulisic with a back-heel, but the AC Milan man is cleaned out by Arcus. The referee immediately points to the spot, and Pulisic is setting up to take this penalty.
52' GOAL! Hall gets his goal
05:48 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldThe U.S. hits on the break with Hall one-on-one with the goalkeeper again. This time, he scores! It's 2-0 United States.
There will be some controversy there. The move started after Lopez opted not to blow his whistle as Casimir looked for contact on the left wing. But the goal will stand, and the U.S. has a controlling lead in the game and series.
51' Adams down after winning foul
05:47 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldHaiti thought it might have been able to go on the counter-attack after a good step cut out an attack. But Tyler Adams went to win the ball and got a boot on his foot instead. He is back up after staying on the ground for a moment.
49' Pulisic creating chances
05:44 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldAs he moves into the center of the field, Pullisic able to break away and get into the box, then send his defender past him, but his angle isn't right for a shot.
He tries a back-post cross, but the header on it isn't stern enough. Still, the U.S. able to win a corner kick from that passage of play. Berhalter will, again, take.
46' We're back in action at Nu Stadium
05:40 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldThe U.S. kicks off. No changes at the break from either manager.
It's 1-0 with the U.S. now moving left to right on theTV broadcast.
HT: USA 1-0 Haiti
05:25 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldAuston Trusty's goal the only tally of the first half, but it certainly could have been more the for the U.S. Haiti knew it would be under pressure at the back, and thus far Pierre has been able to keep the damage to a minimum.
Still, the way the U.S. dominated will be a wake-up call for the Caribbean squad, with changes needed for the second 45 - especially with a second leg coming next week.
44' Shot over the bar!
05:22 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldTyler Adams sees his chance to blast a shot from outside the box. It came about after Berhalter, the victim of that tackle earlier, dribbled past his man and set up Robinson for a cross on the left-hand side. The Fulham man hit it too deep and after Pulisic was held off the ball in the box, it's the long-distance shot by Adams.
39' Bit of a scrap!
05:18 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldWe've got some shoving at midfield with Isidor mixing it up a bit. Chris Ricahrds and a few other U.S. players come over to defend their guy and it's all separated.
Something to watch, though.
35' SAVE! Pierre stops Hall
05:12 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldIt looked like the Red Bulls forward had done the hard part, beating Nwadike with a slick bit of skill, but Pierre made himself big and won the one-on-one duel.
It is still the U.S. leading Haiti 1-0 at Nu Stadium.
32' Offside! U.S. still looking for a second goal
05:09 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldIt's a nice bit of combo play leading to Hall tapping the ball in at the back post, but he's offside. Quick review, and we're back in play.
30' Lenny Joseph goes on a run, wins a corner
05:07 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldHaiti has too often been trying to do it individually, but it nearly works. Trusty slides to win the ball and conceded a corner, though its defended without difficult.
The band being the goal strikes up a tune - we often get this music and rhythm for the full 90, but perhaps the musicians are among those who got stuck in traffic!
28' Can Haiti put some pressure on the other way?
05:05 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldAfter coming out to claim a cross, Pierre tries to start play quickly the other way with a long throw to left back Experience, but there's nothing there for Haiti, as Les Grenediers struggle to find dangerous passes.
26' Hall with another opportunity
05:04 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldA sliding teenage forward nearly connects with a ball in the box, but again Pierre is there.
Haiti really feeling some pressure here, and a second goal would make it very tough to get back into the series.
24' Corner for the U.S.
05:01 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldBerhalter whips it in and Trusty again is the target. He can't add to his goal tally, and while he and the U.S. teammates are saying it should be another corner, it's instead Pierre with a goal kick.
Fans trying to push Haiti forward with an "Hai-ti! Hai-ti!" chant.
21' The U.S. in its final third
04:58 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldThe Americans are searching for a second, stringing together passes in their final third. Leverton Pierre clears a ball and then asks for his teammates to push up more aggressively.
Instead, it's another half chance for the U.S. with Jedi Robinson hitting a low dribbler from the corner of the box that Pierre stops
16' SAVE! Kochen gets down to keep Haiti off the board
04:54 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldHuge breakaway down the left wing for Haiti as midfielder Danley Jean Jacques gets loos thanks to a smart ball from his teammate after a misplaced American pass. But the young goalkeeper is up to the task, getting down to deny the low shot.
It remains USA 1-0 Haiti
11' The goal stands - it seems? Yes
04:49 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldAfter a minute-long check with all eyes on the center referee Walter Lopez, the Guatemalan blows his whistle and points to to the spot.
But perhaps the check is not over? Some confusion here with Haiti delaying its kickoff. The goal is ruled valid, and we're back in play with the U.S up 1-0.
10' GOAL! Trusty scores the opener for the U.S.
04:47 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon Arnold¡ASÍ DE RÁPIDO! ¡GOL DE ESTADOS UNIDOS! ¡YA LO GANAN! 🇺🇸⚽️
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) November 14, 2026
Auston Trusty la manda a guardar en pelota parada y ya vencen 0-1 a Haití 🔥
📺📱 EN VIVO por @Telemundo, Peacock y Telemundo APP ➡️ https://t.co/2oDZRSByNY#USMNTenTelemundo #USMNT #HAIvsUSA #Haití #EstadosUnidos pic.twitter.com/nIyfJrBjnW
And just like that, the Americans are ahead. Berhalter's free kick is whipped in, Trusty sweeps his leg to send it in with his first touch, and the U.S. is ahead 1-0 in the game and in this two-legged series!
9' Foul in a dangerous area
04:46 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldNow it's Casimir who takes down Freeman giving the U.S. a decent place for a free kick, about 30 yards out from the right side of the American attack.
Berhalter is over it.
6' Yellow for the USMNT
04:43 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldHaiti looked to break with Casimir racing down the left wing. He's hauled down by Robinson who goes into the boo.
Haiti wants to hit in those transition moments, and now they'll be able to go after a player on a card. Casimir pumps up the crowd as he gets back to his feet.
4' Back underway after an injury stoppage
04:41 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldJedi Robinson took a knock in the U.S. box that requred medical attention and had play stopped for two minutes. He's back on his feet and we're back in action.
He's back into the game as well as Haiti fans sing "Ole, ole, ole!"
2' Nervous moments at the back
04:40 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldIt's Carlens Arcus, typically a fullback, thrust into the center back role next to Patrick Nwadike because of the injury issues for Les Grenadiers.
He leaves a pass for goalkeeper Pierre short with a U.S. player bearing down - but Pierre is off his line quikcly enough to boot the ball out of the problem area.
1' Kickoff!
04:37 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldWe are underway at Nu Stadium.
The teams are on the field for the anthems
04:31 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldHaiti is in its blue jerseys, blue shorts and blue socks while the U.S. has red-and-blue anthem jackets with white shorts.
Fans roar as the teams take their formation.
Haiti's starting lineup being read out
04:23 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldBig cheers for Lenny Joseph, the attacker returning after playing the World Cup but missing the September-October Nations League matches.
The defense, where new recruits Kayden Pierre and Patrick Nwadike both start, is the big question around Les Grenadiers.
Atmosphere building at Nu Stadium
04:18 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jon ArnoldA DJ is spinning Haitian tracks, and the crowd is reacting as Les Grenadiers leave the field after warm-ups.
It could be a late-arriving crowd today. It's a sell out, but only about half of the bowl has filled up about 15 minutes from kickoff time.
USMNT lineup today
04:07 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jesse YomtovThe USA XI in MIA! 🌴
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) November 14, 2026
#USMNT x The @HomeDepot pic.twitter.com/3yJvu7T3fp
USMNT vs Haiti picks and odds
04:04 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jesse Yomtov
Haiti lineup today
03:51 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jesse YomtovMen 11 konbatan ki pare pou al foule pelouz la epi defann ble e wouj la devan Etazini! Yo pare, batay la pral kòmanse. Ann voye tout fòs nou dèyè yo! Grenadye Alaso! pic.twitter.com/QDpS8zLnbt
— Fédération Haïtienne de Football (@fhfhaiti) November 14, 2026
USMNT arrives at Nu Stadium
03:12 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jesse YomtovParty in the city where the heat is on. pic.twitter.com/6ypueqjOzn
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) November 14, 2026
Where is USMNT vs Haiti game?
02:42 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jesse YomtovDespite Haiti officially being the "home" team, Saturday's game is being held at Nu Stadium in Miami due to instability in the country. It's been more than five years since the national team last played on home soil.
The first leg of this quarterfinal was initially supposed to be played in Jamaica.
But Concacaf Council on Oct. 22 approved an "exceptional hosting arrangement for the Haitian Football Federation (FHF) due to the ongoing security situation in Haiti," allowing the federation and its clubs to "host" not only in the Caribbean but also in the country where the opposing team is based.
– Jon Arnold
Is Gio Reyna injured?
01:47 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jesse YomtovThe U.S. men's national team will be missing Gio Reyna for its two-leg Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal against Haiti. Amid a comeback season at the club level with Strasbourg, Reyna had to withdraw from the USMNT roster after suffering an injury. He was replaced by Stoke City midfielder Jack McGlynn.
Reyna suffered an apparent left thigh injury during Strasbourg’s loss to Toulouse on Nov. 6. The USMNT midfielder scored his third goal of the season in the 67th minute, but signaled to the bench minutes later that he was experiencing discomfort and needed to be substituted.
Reyna has already surpassed his minute total with Borussia Mönchengladbach last season, and has already logged the second-most minutes of any season in his career.
– Seth Vertelney
Was USA's Pochettino era a success?
01:30 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jesse YomtovAfter two years at the helm, Mauricio Pochettino has left the U.S. men's national team.
As he heads across the Atlantic to take over Manchester United, the Argentine leaves behind a complicated legacy.
It isn't easy to deliver a final verdict on Pochettino's tenure, which was filled with enough highs and lows to fuel legitimate arguments that it was either a success or a failure:
The World Cup
Pochettino took the USMNT to heights it had never seen at the 2026 World Cup, becoming the program's all-time winningest World Cup coach by leading the team to three victories — as many as the USMNT had secured in the previous four World Cups combined.
It wasn't just the wins though, it was how the U.S. won. Pochettino's side played stylish, front-foot soccer and blew a defensively sound Paraguay side away in its opener. Then it dominated an Australian team that tried and failed to stifle the U.S. by sitting back. The win over Bosnia and Herzegovina was equally impressive, as the U.S. won just its second World Cup knockout game ever by scoring first, then weathering the storm after going down to 10 men following Folarin Balogun's red card.
– Seth Vertelney
USMNT roster for Haiti games
01:12 PM ET, November 14 2026, Jesse YomtovGoalkeepers (3)
- Matt Freese (New York City FC)
- Diego Kochen (Lyngby Boldklub)
- Brian Schwake (Nashville SC)
Defenders (8)
- Reed Baker-Whiting (Nashville SC)
- Alex Freeman (Villarreal)
- Mark McKenzie (Toulouse) — replaced injured George Campbell
- Neil Pierre (Philadelphia Union)
- Bryan Reynolds (Stade Rennais)
- Chris Richards (Crystal Palace)
- Antonee Robinson (Fulham)
- Auston Trusty (Celtic)
- (Note: Sergiño Dest withdrew from camp with a minor injury without a replacement)
Midfielders (8)
- Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth)
- Mathis Albert (Borussia Dortmund)
- Sebastian Berhalter (Middlesbrough)
- Santiago Castañeda (SC Paderborn)
- Jack McGlynn (Stoke City) — replaced injured Gio Reyna
- Weston McKennie (Juventus)
- Adri Mehmeti (Red Bull New York)
- Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards (5)
- Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco)
- Justin Ellis (Orlando City SC)
- Julian Hall (Red Bull New York)
- Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)
- Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union)
Haiti is no pushover for USA
11:24 AM ET, November 14 2026, Jesse YomtovMIAMI — With a real home-field advantage in the first legand the talent in its squad, Haiti sees an opportunity to stun the U.S. and reach the Concacaf Nations League's final four.
Haiti fans were thrilled to see attacker Lenny Joseph back on the field, scoring twice in the San Siro to help Hungarian side Ferencvaros past Christian Pulisic’s AC Milan, a Europa League match fans joked was a CNL preview. His return, coupled with a window in which Sunderland forward Wilson Isidor scored three goals as Haiti beat Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic means a Haiti attack that comes into November in good form.
“There are two sides to the coin, there’s the side of playing against a big national team, which is really nice, it’s fantastic, a good atmosphere, a good challenge,” Badia told USA TODAY Sports this week. “The other side is that at the same time, you’re playing against a great team who will make it really difficult, who can beat you, who are the favorites.
– Jon Arnold
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USMNT routs Haiti behind Pulisic double in Concacaf Nations League laugher
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